There are so many out-of-school clubs available, from arts & crafts to diving, dance, football, and acting that sometimes it’s hard for parents to choose! What is generally agreed however is that activities are a fantastic way to help find that spark that ignites your child’s passion, supporting them to make new friends, enhancing their confidence and developing new skills. With the CAA now on-hand to help parents make informed choices about providers, many activities offering a free trial class and the long summer ahead – THIS is the time to get active!

Each club will have its own specific benefits - learning new techniques in arts and crafts will expand your child’s creative side, team sports are great for physical development and working with others - but there a wealth of advantages to out-of-school activities, whatever class or club takes their fancy!

1. Children meet new friends and develop their social skillsThrough clubs, children can expand their social circle and open their eyes to new people with new ideas. These will be with children who have similar interests, so making conversation and social interaction already becomes easier. Being part of a group also fosters a sense of pride and a willingness to work together.

Research last year funded by the Nuffield Foundation (1) found that children taking part in organised sports or other physical activities outside of school was associated with the development of enhanced prosocial skills.

​2. Children are likely to do better at schoolThe Nuffield Foundation study (1) also linked academic attainment with out-of-school activities. Children who attended clubs such as Cub Scouts and Brownies, choir, arts & crafts, chess, drama or physical activities had higher scores at Key Stage 2 in Maths and English.​It may be that being part of a club increases children’s confidence, both inside and outside the classroom. For example, a child who takes part in a drama club may feel more relaxed about speaking out in class. Mastering new skills at out-of-school clubs can give children the confidence they need to take on new topics in class, without being put off at the first hurdle.

3. Building perseverance and resilienceChildren can be fearful of trying new things; they may be worried about getting things wrong or they may be scared of failure. Encouraging children to try new activities, helping them to celebrate success and move on from failures will enable them to challenge negative attitudes.

Through succeeding in something new, they will discover a new found confidence in themselves and their abilities. This confidence will then transfer to other areas of their lives and can give children a more positive, relaxed mindset. Learning that they don’t need to be perfect at everything can make taking on new activities more enjoyable.

4. Making children happier and encourage mental ‘wellness’A report by the Department for Culture, Media & Sport (2014, 2) suggests that many activities are connected with being happier. In their survey of 40,000 UK households, it was found that swimming, dance, drama, crafts, and sports are all connected with better positive wellbeing.

Being active is great for physical health and fitness but evidence shows that it can improve your mental wellbeing too.

According to the NHS, some scientists believe that being active can improve wellbeing by bringing about a sense of greater self-esteem, self-control and the ability to rise to a challenge. Participation in sport and recreational activities can reduce stress, anxiety and depression (3) and provide a sense of value, belonging and attachment (4).

5. Giving parents a break means children have happier role modelsParent-centred parenting (5) is based on the idea that parents are vital role models, and those who are tired, stressed and stretched to their limits are not in the best position to raise happy, contented children. Choosing a parent-centred lifestyle means giving priority to your own health and well-being, so that you are better equipped to handle your child’s needs.

So don’t feel bad about signing your child up to one or two clubs to give yourself a break therefore! This goes both ways however - spending all of your time ferrying your child from one club to the next (while remembering to wash and pack any swimming costumes, football kits, etc.) can get exhausting as well. Try to find a balance that’s right for your family and encourage children to take responsibility for their own kit and equipment.

​6. Children get the chance to be independentIt can be hard as a parent to ‘let go’ of your child, but independence is a valuable skill that your child will need as they grow up. By attending a club, your child will have to listen to other children and adults, follow instructions and make decisions without your help.

Independent activities give your child a chance to make mistakes (and learn that these are a part of life), take risks and go outside of their comfort zone.

7. Confidence boostingChildren will gain confidence from trying new activities; through the successes and failures encountered they will learn about how to deal with these scenarios. Clubs often involve engaging with children from outside their normal social circle, so your child will have the opportunity to interact with new potential friends and learn to deal with new social situations.

But with so many providers how do you decide the class or club that’s right for your child?

When putting your trust in an activity provider, it is important to know your child is in safe hands. Parents should be reassured on vital issues such as insurance, health and safety, training, criminal record checks and qualifications so we recommend choosing from one of the many members of the Children’s Activities Association (CAA). This is a not-for-profit, industry-led organisation that provides standardised quality assurance for children’s activities.The checks therefore are done for you – so all you need to ask is ‘are you a member of the CAA?’​For more information, please visit the CAA website, their Facebook, or their Twitter.

Thrilled to be supporting the CAA and the amazing work they are doing to ensure children's activities are safe and fun. Summer activities are a win for everyone. The kids enjoy them and the parents either have time to themselves, or get to interact and relax too

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